Allergic rhinitis decisions — 2014

The Veteran's service connection claims for allergic rhinitis with sinusitis and gastrointestinal disability (claimed as irritable bowel syndrome) are granted.

The Board has granted service connection for allergic rhinitis with sinusitis and sleep apnea, finding that these conditions are attributable to the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spondylolysis and strain with dextroscoliosis, left knee DJD with PFS, right knee DJD with PFS, allergic rhinitis, and hemorrhoids have been granted initial evaluations. The lumbar condition received a noncompensable evaluation prior to June 25, 2008, and a 10 percent evaluation from that date forward. The left and right knee conditions each received a 10 percent evaluation effective May 1, 2006. Allergic rhinitis was assigned a noncompensable evaluation, while hemorrhoids were given a noncompensable evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial compensable disability evaluations for his claimed conditions, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis is rated at 30 percent effective June 28, 2010. Before that date, the condition did not meet criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and unclear address of the Veteran. The claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis and heart disorder will be reconsidered after obtaining all relevant medical records.

The VA determined that the Veteran's allergic rhinitis existed prior to his service and was not aggravated by it, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is not service-connected.,The Veteran's symptoms of pain in the bilateral arms, legs, back and neck; sinus disorder; skin disorder; and stomach disorder have been attributed to known clinical diagnoses.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current lumbar spine disorder to service and denied her claim for service connection. The TDIU claim was also denied as there were no service-connected disabilities rated at least 40% combined that met the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to an inaccurate factual history regarding the Veteran's diagnoses of sinusitis.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not have its onset during service or within one year of separation from service and is not otherwise related to service.,There is a preponderance of evidence against a nexus between a current gastrointestinal disability, including GERD, and any incident in service. The Veteran was not exposed to asbestos and/or other toxic chemicals during service.

The Veteran's low back strain was increased to a 20 percent rating effective from April 7, 2011. His allergic rhinitis with occasional sinusitis remains noncompensably (zero percent) disabling.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral eye disorder and an allergic rhinitis (nasal disorder) have been denied. The issues of increased ratings for left knee instability, reconstruction of the left anterior cruciate ligament, lumbosacral strain, and bilateral pes planus remain unresolved.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability claimed as gout and initial compensable ratings for deviated septum with surgery and allergic rhinitis were denied. The Board finds that additional development is needed to address the remaining claim.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of cold injuries of the hands and feet (claimed as frostbite) is denied because there are no separate and distinct manifestations not already associated with service-connected conditions.,Service connection for a sinus condition, to include left-frontal sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, is denied due to lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or disease that resulted in current symptoms. The Veteran's currently-diagnosed allergic rhinitis is attributed to environmental allergens rather than military service.

The Veteran's sinusitis is granted as secondary to service-connected allergic rhinitis.,A 30 percent evaluation is granted for the Veteran's cervical spine disability. The effective date of this rating decision is not specified.,The Veteran's asthma is denied, with no higher than a 10 percent evaluation being granted.,A 30 percent evaluation is granted for the Veteran's muscle tension headaches.,A 10 percent evaluation is granted for each of the Veteran's elbow tendonitis conditions.,The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is denied and remains at its current 0 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings for anal fissure and allergic rhinitis have been withdrawn. The remaining issues of entitlement to higher initial ratings for right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome, earlier effective dates for service connection for bipolar disorder and special monthly compensation by reason of being housebound, and TDIU are currently before the Board.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's sinusitis and rhinitis are rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating for chronic pansinusitis. The right ear lesion is service-connected as a result of in-service sun exposure.